Travel day

At last, I get some time to sit down and write the blog. It's been an interesting day.

I said goodbye to everyone at the reunion which was sad  - it would have been nice if I could have stayed for today, but that wasn't meant to be and it was just pure luck the way things worked out.  So I said good bye to the extended family members and then stopped at Mom and Dad's (I love that they are in town - it's so darn handy!) And then I was on the road back to Saskatoon. I do believe that is the shortest trip I've ever done to Saskatchewan, but no time to waste. 

OH - I must tell you what happened. During the day (yesterday)  I had to zip into town to pick something up.  The reunion was at my uncle's farm which isn't far out of town.  I was visiting a bit with Mom who couldn't make it out.  We can see that it is raining, but it was only when I got back to the farm that I realized how hard it rained.  In a very short time, they got almost 2 inches of rain. The wind was so strong, it knocked the port a potty over and everyone got SOAKED.  They were all wearing different clothing from when I had been there earlier and the variety of clothing was interesting to say the least.  It was pretty funny!!!!  

After dinner when we still had decent light, I managed to get everyone together who was there for a photo.  Not an easy feat, but we managed.  As usual, pot luck for dinner which was AMAZING!!!!!!  

I checked into a hotel near the airport and decided that I would fill the car with gas in the morning. Let's just say that the day started out as one of those days!  The gas station that I normally visit was closed - no kidding - it was 5:30 in the morning. I needed to be at the airport by 5:40 so no time to waste.  I found another gas station close by and then off to the airport.

Now here is something I didn't tell you.  I have my bike with me. And it's packed in a big box which sits sideways on the luggage cart. EXCEPT the doors at the Saskatoon airport are single door widths.  So the box doesn't go through without being taken off the cart and pulled through while you attempt to hold your wheely cart from rolling away.  Ah - fun and games.

I had tried to check in last night and the stupid app on my phone NEVER lets me log in.  I get to some point and it logs me out.  Do did it take my credit card for the bags???  No idea.  I get to the airport this morning and start the check-in process and NOPE - didn't charge me for the bags - I'm not checked in.  After I paid for the bike and did NOT get a prompt to pay for the other bag, I thought I had saved some money.  Turns out when I checked e-mail later that in fact the payment had gone through the night before, so I paid TWICE.   GRRRRRRR.   Air Canada - are you listening?   That system doesn't work well. The left hand is definitely not talking to the right hand.

No problems to get through security and up to Tim's to get breakfast.  I had to wait a LONG LONG time despite the fact that there was no one in line.  They had to cook the eggs.  By this time they are starting to board the plane, but the gate is right in front of me and I see that I have still have loads of time.

Get on the plane, find my seat. Plane not full, but a man sits beside me.  OK - I can deal with that.  We taxi out to the runway and start to accelerate.  We are milliseconds from lifting off and BANG - the pilot slammed on the brakes.  I'm not kidding - it was pretty scary because we had no clue what the heck was going on.   It seemed to take forever for the plane to come to a stop and then we started to taxi back to the terminal. The pilot came on and you could tell by his voice that something was wrong - he sounded a tad stressed which is not good in a pilot!!!   No kidding my heart was still pounding as well. 

Turned out we hit a flock of birds!!!!   He made a judgment to abort take off to have the plane checked out.  It turned out that we killed 7 birds (no idea what kind) and none got sucked into the engines so that was good.  I think we were delayed almost one hour.

So while we  were waiting for the inspection and the OK to take off, the man next to me started chatting and we chatted all the way to our destination.  It was a very interesting conversation. He was from Dublin and we chatted about garbage, education, the gravel industry, road construction and politics!!!!!   The time flew by and next thing we know - we are safely landed in Vancouver!!!!

Got a cab to UBC where we are staying.  Turns out there is a ton of house construction in this city - old houses ripped down and new ones going up.  And there is a major closure of roads due to water main issues.  

I arrive at the university and my room isn't ready yet.  Well, I might as well assemble my bike.  So everything out of the box, get the tools, get the parts and put the bike together.  Do you think I can remember how to put the damn front brakes together?  Well I figured someone would be around later to help.  Thanks to Mike for coming to my rescue.  I met Mike a number of years ago on another trip and we've met once more in the Atlantic Provinces.

Then I decided that I had to get a row by row from BC, so off to catch a bus.  Thankfully I asked the bus driver before I got on and someone had given me the incorrect information for getting to Granville Island.  But I found the bus stop, waited a few minutes and there was the bus.  Made it down to Granville Island and found The Cloth Shop where I proceeded to buy the license plate and a kit. Then I went into the market to find something to eat.  ACK - too many people!!!!   I could NEVER shop in a market like that - just too many people stopping in the aisles to gawk, to shop and to tick people like myself off.  Nope - not for me.  I'm learning that tourist areas are NOT for me.  I can't deal with that tourist shuffle.

I had lunch overlooking False Creek and then walked back up to the bus.  I was very focused - I had only one thing in mind - get that plate. Then I got mixed up in the time change, thinking it was two hours time difference on my FitBit where in fact it's three.  So I was early to the group meeting.  Anyway  - we have an interesting group of people, half from Canada and half from other countries.  I think we are 3 women and 8 men.  There will be a few more joining us later on the trip.  Everyone is pumped and keen to ride.  I'm looking forward to it.

Having some experience in all this, I have managed to get all my stuff organized into the baskets which will go on the shelves in the morning. My bike is assembled and I think it's ready to go.  I really should go through the handle bar basket and the trunk to make sure I'm taking only what I need with me. No sense in carrying extra stuff!

Now it is time tonight to just relax. I'll have to find out what everyone is doing for dinner or I'll just head out to get a bite myself.  There are a number of restaurants in the area. 

This place is just hopping - there are tons of people around for conferences or just staying the night like ourselves. Anyway - it's a busy place and you should see my room.  I'd love to have this as a room although I would need a bit more space for the quilting stuff. A nice little apartment.

That ends the travel day.  It's been interested to say the least.

I will be blogging as best I can - most camp sites do have Wi-Fi. It will just depend on circumstances - so if you don't hear from me - that doesn't mean bad things.  It just means I can't get on the internet.  I will post each day on Facebook when I arrive in camp. 

Have a good day!!!

ciao!!!!

On the road again

I feel like a spy!   I'm back on my small tablet to blog.  When I went to post the blog this morning, for some reason, I couldn't get in without signing into the network.  It's complicated.  A while back I changed my Google password and every application needs to be relogged in the first time I use it.  Since no one was up to get me a password to the internet, I have escaped to Tim's with my tablet in hand.  Got logged into this network immediately, retyped in the password to Blogger and I'm good!!!!  

You may not understand what I just wrote, but let's just say that YES - I can be competent with technology when it's important. And I had to get my tea!!!!   As I sit here and quickly write my blog (or my brother will be wondering why it takes so long to get a tea!), I can see my parent's apartment from the window. 

Yep - I've come back to Saskatchewan for a visit. The flight was pretty uneventful and quiet.  Despite the fact that some toddler got on the plane who was fussing and I heard his Mom say he was a nervous flyer in small planes.  Oh boy I thought!  But we didn't hear one peep from him.  I started a new book and I must have been tired because I would read a chapter or two and then sleep. Then another chapter or so and then sleep. 

Once I arrived in Saskatoon and got my car, I was off to visit the quilt shops.  Not that I needed anything at all, but it's Row by Row time and I did say that I would pick up stuff from any that happened to be in the neighbourhood where I was.  So I managed to get to 3 quilt stores in Saskatoon and got two plates. Then off to Warman to visit that store and one more plate and finally arrived in North Battleford where the local fabric shop had TWO plates so that made a total of five plates in one day.  A good haul!!!    But that's it as the other shops are not close and I don't have a lot of time.

My mom is looking great.  Probably the best I've seen her in years.  Why?  She is finally getting good care. Now that she lives in town, she has weekly home care.  It has taken a lot of  time to make this happen, but it has paid off.  I'm very happy about that. I'm sure she feels better as well and  my Dad has become Mr. Mom as he bustled around the kitchen filling the dishwasher and cleaning up the kitchen. Yes - it's a big relief to know they are happy and in a safe place.

Well - it's going to be short today as I had better get back to my brother's!  I'll try to get some pictures posted, but it's very hard to make that happen, but I'll give it one more shot with this little computer/tablet.

Have a great day!!!

Ciao!

PS - One little SNAFU - the darn post wouldn't publish this morning.  Why?  I forgot to log into the network at Tim's.  All is good now.   Can you believe how cheeky I am - I came into Tim's to use the washroom and to post this blog.  Bad bad me!!!!

Patched!

I wish I could report that the quilt repair is complete this morning, but alas - it is not. I didn't get one stitch in the darn thing over the last couple of days despite good intentions.

Let's start off by showing you a couple of things I got recently.  I found these magnets at Quilts at the Creek.  Some of the people who showed quilts were selling items. I love the fish one so now instead of saying OH CRAP - I can say OH CARP!  Sounds nicer!

Magnets

 And I picked up this postcard. Very cute and a good way to use up small odd blocks.

Post card

 And a novelty print that I HAD to have. Can you see what it is?

Novelty print

 Now let's look at that repair.

Can you see the rip in the lighter fabric?

There's a rip in the middle square

I hadn't really searched for a replacement fabric for this spot as I didn't realize there were tears in this one. I've since discovered a "few".

So I had to dig through my stash to see what I could find.  Of course, I didn't have the exact fabric, but found this one that works not bad.

"matching" fabric

 It was hard to match the background, never mind the green/burgundy on the background.

Then the big debate was how to patch. Honestly, it took me more time to find that fabric and mess around with what shape to make the patches than it did to make the patches.  At first, I was going to make a square, but that was very hard to make the square exactly the size needed. So I decided to make circles instead. Got out the Perfect Circle maker by Karen Kay Buckley and I was good to go.

Patch on the light

Patches on the burgundy and the multicolor print

They are just pinned for the moment, but once they are stitched in place, I don't think they will be noticeable. I've gone over half of the quilt, found 8 cuts/chews to be repaired and two seams that need to be restitched. I think one side was worse than the other and hopefully this was the worse side.  There is still the big repair on the other side to do and then a few spots on the back.

However I have to set it aside for a couple of weeks because I'm leaving today! Yep - that's why I couldn't squeeze in a couple of hours for the hand stitching. I had stuff to do for work that HAD to be done before I left and I had stuff that HAD to be done at home before I left and that left no time to complete the quilt. Oh well - it's not life or death, but I know the customer wants it back.  Two more weeks!

Where am I going? Well you'll just have to wait and see.  I'll be blogging so you'll be able to keep track of me.  Good luck with that as I can barely keep track of myself!  I was offering up some dates for teaching this fall and well - there weren't a lot of free dates. But that's OK because I LOVE what I do.  As much as I say that it would be nice to be at home and sew all day - I'd be bored by lunch time of the first day.  I need to be out and about, be with people - that's what makes me happy!

On that note, a few last minutes things to do and I'm gone!

Have a great day!!!

Ciao!!!!

Oh by the way, I think Lexi has a story for you today and don't forget QUILTSocial today.  You must check the QUILTSocial blog today - it literally will blow your socks off!!!!   I'm just blown away by that Designer EPIC.

Into the mist.................

Misty Pines has been on my list of my things to get tidied up in the studio.

Misty Pines quilt by Patti Carey

 I'm happy to report that all the materials have been cut.  And out of all those bolts - this is what remains.

Leftovers from Misty Pines

 I don't think there is even enough of any one fabric for me to make a backing - BUT that is a good thing. It means, I'll be foreced to use up those pieces and then NOTHING will be left.  What remains is for me to finish the top.

In addition, I have this bag of scraps - the leftovers from cutting all those kits.  Once I'm done the top, I'll put this in my scrap bins. For the moment, it's all together.

Bag of scraps

 Notice though that after cutting 27 kits - this is ALL that is left for scraps.  Not bad!!!!

There are still two kits left if anyone is interested.  $100 for the kit and it is PRE-CUT.  You just have to start sewing.  There is no backing or binding in the kit.

Having gotten rid of that, my big orange tub is now empty!!

Empty tub!

 Not to worry - it's already filled.  I was trying to consolidate some stuff on my sewing table. While it looks better, there is still much to deal with!

I did NOT make any progress on the quilt repair last night as I had some items that had to be sewn for work and that took priority.  Don't worry, when they become available (one's a free download), then you'll know about it!

Did I show you my latest licence plate?  Got this at Quilts at the Creek this past weekend.   I think that makes 26!

Row by Row license plate

Don't forget to check out QUILTsocial this morning.  Some neat tips and more fun with machine embroidery (or getting prepped) for machine embroidery on the Husqvarna Viking Designer EPIC.


Have a super awesome day!!!

Ciao!

A binding affair!

I've started following a lot more blogs since I went back to work. I know, that sounds awful, but it's a good way to keep in touch with what's happening in the quilt world. And some of the bloggers read my blog. I think it's funny that some of us have never met and yet you feel like you know them.

There are many "challenges" or goal setting or quilt a longs and you have to find something that works for you. At the moment, I don't have time to participate in those. But there is one that I find intriguing and I'll certainly get myself set up for next year.

I've probably got the information incorrect, but it was something to the effect of setting a goal(s)  for the year. Finishing projects is the big one. At the end of 6 months, there was a review. I've tried to do that before, but I find that if it's just myself involved, not much happens. Don't get me wrong - I get loads done, just not what is on that goal list!

I know what my focus would be and technically I could make this my goal for the rest of the year.  That is to finish the handstitching of finished quilts. Binding, sleeves, and labels. There are quite a few that are in that category, not tons, but enough and it would be nice on those days when I get to hand sew that I'm not doing boring stuff like finishing off years old projects.

I suppose it would be good to take inventory and make a list. Lists are good.  Then I could have a label printing session - do you know that I have given up printing at home. And I LOVE IT!!!!!   I haven't had a single frustration in that area. I simply forward what I want printed to DH and he prints it!  Brilliantly solution to a problem!  Except that it now takes two people to print something.

On the topic of finishing things, I took this quilt to the Monday sewing group. It's small and while the quilt was in a show a couple of years ago, the binding was pinned to the back. I wasn't into machine binding at that time.  Now the binding is on. There is some stitching that I want to do on the front, then I can stitch the sleeve on and make a label.  Simple!

One more quilt with the binding on!

 After all, the more quilts I can get finished, well they can be added to my trunk show and when my grand finale comes along and all my quilts are given away, this will be one less that someone has to finish for me!

Speaking of binding, I got the binding completed on that quilt repair as well.  I know - a hand stitching fiend!  I made the patches for the repairs last night and I'll share those with you tomorrow.

Binding on quilt repair - done!

Now here's something you may or may not know.  As a quilter, I try to buy the best of everything. I buy name brand rulers, mats and cutters and of course - fabric!  I want the good stuff even if it costs more money. Just means I buy less which isn't a bad thing.  Why?  Am I a quilt snob?  Nope (OK - a bit!) - I've learned that buying cheap tools is exactly that - cheap. They break, they don't work well and can be dangerous and cause major issues with your project.

For my rotary cutters, I buy OLFA. Plain and simple - I won't buy anything else.  I've purchased many OLFA cutters over the years - I think I posted a picture on my blog one day of how many cutters I have.  Hmmm- not only did I post a picture - the darn entire post is dedicated (or almost) to the rotary cutter!

And if you remember, I actually wore one of them out so that it couldn't be used any more.

Worn out rotary cutter

 See how that hole has become so large that the screw won't tighten. Well on the GOOD QUALITY stuff, I noticed that there is a guarantee - FOREVER!   I contacted OLFA and guess what?   Yep - they sent me a new rotary cutter!!!!

The old and the new!!!

Then when I was teaching earlier this summer, one of my students broke my circle cutter.

Broken circle cutter

 I was in contact with OLFA about the other cutter when this happened and so I sent them a picture of this broken one. Guess what?

The old and the new

I would like to thank OLFA very much for honoring both rotary cutters. It was minimal hassle to get the items replaced.  I've never had an issue with the day to day operations of any of my OLFA rotary cutters. They simply are the best. And my preference is for the original style. It's what I learned on, it's what I can cut for hours with and very accurately.

Next time you're thinking about buying a quilting tool - think about what you're buying.  Cheap stuff tends to not work well (trust me, I've cut with many students rotary cutters to the point that I now carry my own!). Buy the best you can afford - you'll appreciate it and the tool will last forever!!!!

Don't forget to check out QUILTSocial this morning.   Even if you're not into machine embroidery, check out the machine just for the fun of it.  It's amazing!!!

Have a super day!!

Ciao!!!

PUBLISHED!

Have you had your WOW moment for the day yet?  I'll admit that it's a bit early, but after my walk in the forest - there's always a WOW moment.

But my WOW moment last week was going to the store and finding a magazine with MY project in it.  I've been published before.  Doesn't matter - each article or pattern is still a WOW for me.

Here are the "official" pictures from the magazine.  (Used with permission by All People Quilts). Made with Northcott Colorworks Concepts coordinates. By the way - they named the pattern.

Toddler Tote - Page 50

Tote made from a panel

This tote was made with a PANEL from Northcott ColorWorks Concepts.

Northcott ColorWorks Concepts panel

Fall Issue 2016 of Quilts and More

And that's the magazine you'll find the pattern in.  It truly is my favourite bag pattern. It's a culmination of many techniques I've dealt with over the years including style of handles, linings and interfacings and all is revealed in this pattern.

The one thing you have to keep in mind is that once you provide a pattern to the magazine, they can and will make changes to fit their publication standards.  Not too worry - I don't think much was changed.

 There's the designer name - me!

Designer Name - me!!!!

There will be a couple more coming - they are already at the publishers. Just waiting for the magazines to be released. I'll let you know all about it when they are out.

One of them is Christmas and it's a tad too early to think about that yet!

Don't forget to check out QuiltSocial today.  Even if you're not in the market for a sewing/embroidery machine, this Designer EPIC will knock your socks off. There are tons of tips for general sewing and today is a tutorial on Quarter Square Triangles. Enjoy!!!!

Can't remember if I put the link in for yesterday's QuiltSocial - if not, here it is.

On that note, I'm out of here.

Have a super day!

Ciao!!!

Quilts and philosophy

Another successful day at Quilts at the Creek. The weather cooperated a bit more today and the sky remained cloudy for most of the day which helped to keep the temperature in a moderate zone!  And no rain although it was threatening.

I mentioned that in Kathy Doughty's class, I didn't actively participate as I wasn't sure what picture I was going to do.  Just wasn't mentally prepared for that challenge and I knew I would go home with a UFO that I would likely never finish.  It's hard to find the right picture when you're not sure of the technique. When I got home from that class, I did find a good picture to use. Kathy was teaching workshops all week at Quilts at the Creek and I wanted to show her that I did at least get something out of the class and while she didn't jump up and down, I think she knew I was on the right track.   I love my picture - actually, I printed about 5 and now I have to choose, but the more I look at them, I think I know which one I want. to do.

Anyway, we had an interesting discussion about the quilting industry and so today, I have questions for you. Send me your comments or suggestions and I'll compile and post the results. You can use the comment section at the end of this post or you can send me an e-mail.   Just click on that link.  I know a number of people want to get in touch with me, but don't have my e-mail, so I`m going to try and remember to post my e-mail at least once a week so if you need to get me and don`t have my new e-mail, you`ll still have a way to get in touch.  I know - I should have a web site and be very organized, but it`s hard to find the time for that. And if you want to send me an e-mail, just to say HI - that's OK too!

So Kathy and I were talking about classes, vibrancy of the quilting community and that kind of thing. Here are a couple of questions to comtemplate.

1. Do you think there is a GOOD quilting community in Southern Ontario or in your specific area?  If yes, what makes you think that?  In no, why isn't is a good quilting community?

2. Do you feel proud to be a Canadian quilter? Why?

3. Do you feel that Canadian quilters are as exciting as US quilters?  By that, I mean, the quilting community. Do we have enough shows? Indoor/outdoor/large/small/hosted by guilds/hosted by third parties.  Do we need quilting shows/more Canadian designers/programs to make the Canadian industry as exciting as the US?   People (including Canadians) flock to American shows, but trickle to Canadian shows. Same with shopping. Why is that?

4. Do you like to take quilt classes?  If so - what are your favourite type?  Do you take a class just for the social aspect? Do you want to start a new project or a project that you've been meaning to work on for a while, but need motivation to start (even if you already understand the technique?)  Do you prefer a class that demonstrates or hands on for a new technique?  Do you prefer small or large projects?  Do you like to do samples or you need a project to work on?

5. Do you feel that quilters get enough respect and support from your city/community/your friends/your family?

6. What about shopping?  Do you prefer on-line? In store? Do you shop for price?  Do you buy JUST because it is on sale? How important is service to you?

7. Shops hops?  row by row?   Like them, hate them?

8. If you could offer one piece of advice or thing you would like to see changed about our quilting industry - what would it be?  Doesn't have to be super realistic as some of the best ideas came from a weird thought.

9. Any other comments.

Wow - that's a heavy way to start Monday morning!   Heavy and thought provoking to you.  I think it would be fun to get together and have a round table discussion on this topic!!!

I was speaking to my Mom recently about family reunions.  Guess what she said?  |Why do they have to do it this way?  Why do they always have it at the same place?"  Because Mom, they are the ones that organize it so they get to choose!!!!!   Drives me crazy!   But the same with anything - if you don't want to pitch in to help, you shouldn't complain!

So I'm not asking you to pitch in to help with anything, other than provide me some feedback!  No strings attached.

Have a great day!!!

Ciao!

Quilts at the Creek

While it was a great day, it was just one of those days!

I was off to view the Quilts at the Creek and to do my walk about tour. I had a few stops along the way. The first one was easy - Ruti's Needlebed which is very close to my house. Got what I wanted and picked up a catalogue to peruse of embroidery designs. NO - I should NOT have done that!  BTW - I'm blogging on QUILTSocial this week for the Husqvarna Viking Designer EPIC.  Even if you're not in the market for a sewing machine, you should tag along. It's mind blowing stuff!

Anyway, I left Ruti's and was going to get on the highway to go to my next stop. The exit was closed for construction so off to the next exit. Traffic was good and despite the fact that I left the house 1/2 hour behind schedule, I was now on schedule.  However when I got on the next major highway, there was obviously a major problem. The overhead signs said the highway was completely shut down at the exit just past where I wanted to go.  And it was SLOW and got slower as I moved ahead.

So slow that I was noticing how many hub caps were along the edge of the highway and even had time to take a picture while we were stopped!

Loads of lost hub caps on the highway

It was getting late and I wasn't going to be able to make my next stop before I wanted to get to the quilt show. I'll do that other errand after. Because of the highway being closed, all the other roads were not in much better shape, but after 1 1/2 hours - I made it. I was thinking of Susan and Mary who have moved east of the city and recently commented on how they did NOT miss the city traffic.  Yesterday - I could have done without the traffic!

Quilts at the Creek is at Black Creek Pioneer Village and what an amazing outdoor venue for this quilt show.

Quilts at the Creek

Despite the heat yesterday, it wasn't a bad day. There is lots of shade, lots of places to sit down and I saw loads of people with hats!

I had a chance to zip around and see all the quilts. They are BEAUTIFUL and well worth a trip!

Some of the quilts on display

More quilts in the town squaer

On the fences and hanging in the shed

Laurissa's Dear Jane hanging at the Town Hall

This quilt is absolutely stunning. This is how I envision MY Dear Jane, but probably only in my dreams!

Sorry - I didn't take close ups of anyone elses's quilt. Well I did, but I didn't take note of the names, so not going to post.  However I did take a picture of my Once Upon a Row by Row.....

Once Upon a Row by Row........

I decided to get something to eat before my walking tour. I'm never that hungry when it's hot. Standing inside chatting to some of the ladies and there's a FIRE ALARM.  Yep - everybody out of the building!   The fire trucks and the HUNKY firemen came.  I decided to go and get lunch at the outdoor BBQ place.  The poor girl working the grill was sweating like crazy although she was in the shade. But she wasn't too fast and it took forever to get my hotdog!   I had just enough time to eat it before the walking tour.  Not many on the tour, but that's OK, we had fun looking at the quilts!  

If you're coming to day, come to the Town Hall at 2:30 to check it out!!!!

There was a wedding yesterday. Well I think they were there just for pictures.  Not a fun day to be wearing a long fluffy white dress.

The bride

The wedding party!

 I figured by the time I left that the highway would be clear.  Not so!  It was packed for miles and miles. thankfully in the opposite direction that I needed to go in.  I mean we're talking up to 8 lanes of traffic JAMMED for miles.  That's a lot of cars.  Apparently there was a serious accident. People really need to be more careful as everyday there is another accident.

Before I headed home, I did stop in at Sew Sister's to get the license plate for Row by Row.  I think that makes 25 and about all I'm going to get - well there might be one or two more.  I'm happy with that and now to figure out something to do with them!

One more plate!

Then home, but not before stopping at the grocery store. Then getting home and realizing I was still missing something and so back to the grocery store!


And on that note, I've got a lot of stuff to do today and better get started.


Have an awesome day - stay cool!

Ciao!

Cool things!

I have to laugh whenever I see idea generators for blogs or articles ideas of what to write in a blog. I guess that might be more relevant if you are very topic specific on the blog, but me - I'll write about anything. Well almost!

All I need is a picture!  Then after I edited the pictures this morning, I couldn't even remember what they were until I loaded them. 

Today is an update day and a couple of reflections.  Here are a few cool things that I received last week. 

Row by Row License plate!  From ALBERTA!

A big thanks to the person who gifted that to me!   Tofield apparently is south of Edmonton? I love the phrase. Oh - oh - oh - I feel another story coming on!


This morning I was doing a bit of tidying up. I'm really good at moving things around and compacting the stuff into containers, but not so good at processing the stuff and putting it away!  Well I am, but sometimes I don't want to put it away as I want to make something from it. But here's one thing that needed to be dealt with. I had all the plastic bags from the 2014 license plates.  You can't throw plastic bags away - they are great for sorting things. I removed the paper insert for the license plates and recycled them - all but one. I might add that to the back of my Onoce Upon a Row quilt. I think it will be very appropriate as the story of the Fabric License Plates is on that insert.

Look what else I found as I was going through that stack of bags.

Pattern for 2014 license plate 

One of the stores included this in their packaging. I think this would also be excellent to make and add to the back of the Once Upon a Row quilt.  I don't have the quilt in my possession at this point - it will be on display at Quilts at the Creek today and tomorrow. But when it comes back, I could put that label on before it goes out the door again which it is - hopefully on Monday. Not much time to put two labels on the back.


The other thing I got this past week and this was a barter item is this.  A bright red plastic bag with this package inside.  Hmmmm - what's in the package (notice the color of the ribbon????)   The other thing I have to say is that we quilters are pretty resourceful with the Pony Express method of getting things to each other.  I know someone, who knows someone and then the process happens in reverse.  Thanks to the internet, that is very doable these days!

What's in the package????

OH MY GOD - brilliant orange fabric!!!!  I love it!!!!!   Now I want to say that this wasn't supposed to be a barter - I was giving something away, but she felt the need to do something in return.  Not necessary Sandy, but always appreciated!!!!

Orange fabric - brilliant!!!!

 And there was this beautiful card in the bag as well.  I love the card. I'm hanging that one up on my bulletin board where I can admire it.  Do you see the quilt???

Beautiful card

 Gosh - this card reminds me that I have a ton of cards downstairs. I NEED to be sending those cards out.  There is no reason to hoard the darn things. Otherwise after I'm gone, someone will go through my stuff and say - why didn't she use these????  OK - who wants a card?    Wait - you had better have a good reason to get a card. Oh heck - at our age - everyday we get up is a day to celebrate!!!!

Which brings me to think about age. Do you remember when you were a kid and you thought that 30 was OLD.  Then 40, then 50 and so on.  Well, I won't reveal my age, but sometimes when I think of how old I am, I kind of shock myself.  Really???  I'm that old?  I don't feel that old.  I don't act that old. And I guess that is a good thing. Hopefully all the exercise, joie de vie and sense of humor will keep me young at heart for many years to come and if I go - please take me quickly.

Which brings me to this photograph that I saw on Facebook earlier this week. The grandma of the lady who posted this picture had passed away and this is how they paid tribute to her quilting career.  Now isn't that just the best ever!!!!  The lady who posted was Christina Tollman.

A beautiful display of quilts at a funeral

So yes - this is how I envision my funeral. Well celebration of life.  What an absolutely cool idea and then I would let everyone take a quilt (or as Nancy says - a quilt TOP) home.  Of course, by the time I die - well how many friends will I have?  That's something very weird to think about!  Enough of that.

On a very sad note, a memory just popped up in Facebook and today marks the three year anniversary of visiting the Terry Fox Memorial in Northern Ontario.  It's also the day that two cyclists in my group as we rode across Canada were struck by a careless driver and instantly killed. They were less than 10 KM away from where we were to camp that evening. I wasn't that far ahead of them that day and I remember seeing and hearing the sirens of fire trucks and police and ambulance as they screamed down the opposite side of the road as I approached the camp site.  I shall always remember Bob and Irene - they were so much in love.  I shall also remember the folks in Nipigon who came to our rescue with food and shelter and support that evening.  It was a terrible day.


On a happier note, I was digging through my zipper box this morning and my fabric stash to find some fabric to make a small zippered tote.  That's a project for later today and tomorrow.

Supplies for a zippered tote

I think that Miss Lexi has a story to tell this morning. I could tell you, but I think she is much better at it than I am.

Have a great day and don't forget to come out to Quilts at the Creek today. 2:30 is the time that I'm hosting the walk about!

Ciao!!!!

State of affairs or should I say repairs!

Quilt repairs. Never a pretty sight. Takes a long time and no one likes to do it. Yet if the quilt is a treasured heirloom, well then repairs must be done.

I like the story of one quilt that I saw recently at Quilt Canada. It was a beautiful quilt. Red background, hand quilted and hand appliqued. It was HUGE.   The pattern is Aunt Millie's Garden by Piece 'O Cake.  

Aunt Millie's Quilt

But what is even more fun about this quilt is the story behind it.  Joan Dorsay is the maker of this particular quilt and here is her story.  Hopefully you can read it.  And check out the title - Not Now, Maybe Never.

Joan's story about her quilt

She did an amazing job and won a prize for her fabulous efforts.

First prize in her category

Exquisite workmanship

Do you agree with her?  Absolutely - 100%!   If someone I knew wanted a quilt and had pets - I'd made a quilt with 6 inch squares and an overall design. End of story!

Now let's have a look at the repair that I'm doing. I had removed the binding and time to trim.  There were about 5 or 6 spots along the edge that needed repairs. I wanted to trim them all away, but that would have cut too much of the border away.  I ended up trimming between 1/4" and 1/2" off the edge of the quilt and that eliminated all but one problem area. The border wasn't trimmed even the first time and that's why what I trimmed off was wonky, but the border is straight now!

What got trimmed away

The binding was only 2" wide which is too narrow for my liking, but NO CHOICE.  I took a much narrower seam than I normally do.

Sewing on the binding to the front of the quilt

Now here's that one spot that couldn't be fixed by trimming the quilt. You see that I would have had to trim another 1/2" off the border and that would have been too much just to fix one spot.

One area that still requires repair

The teeth marks are still in the batting!

I took a small scrap leftover from joining the binding and laid it underneath the tear in the top. Then a small bit of fusible on top of the scrap. Then it got ironed together.

Repairing the hole with fusible and a scrap

It's not perfect, but half of it will be covered by the binding and the rest of it is fused down so it shouldn't unravel. It's not a perfect fix, but if you didn't know there was a hole, you would never find it on this quilt.

The repair

Then back to sewing the binding on.  I turned the last corner and the big question was - did I have enough binding. I had to join the binding about 4 times (necessary because of holes in the binding). The quilt was smaller by a bit so it was a guessing game if there would be enough.

Sewing the last side

And this is how much I was short.  The distance between the arrows.

Short of binding

But WAIT!   There was one more small piece that I didn't join because it was only 8 inches or so. However it was necessary to use it.  It looks like it might just solve my binding shortage problem. The top arrows show the extra piece, the bottom arrows show what I need plus two joins.

One extra piece of binding - will it be enough?

Once I joined that piece and sewed it onto the quilt, I measured the overlap to make the final join.  NO WAY!!!!   It was a PERFECT fit.  Well I could have trimmed 1/8" off!!!!   That was just luck!  Absolute LUCK!

Just enough to make the final join!!!!

I did have backup fabric that I got from Joyce - just in case.  But it wasn't necessary for this part of the repairs.

Backup fabric

Then it was onto the hand stitching. My favourite thing. Don't get me wrong, I love hand stitching.  But this was a big quilt.  I decided to measure it so I could really appreciate the size. I'll tell you that number in one minute.

However, I decided that I didn't need to be quite so neurotic with my hand stitching and the bigger stitches (not so big, but bigger), are not noticeable and I was able to get TWO sides of the binding hand stitched down in ONE EVENING.  WOW - that's a record for me!!!

Contrasting thread - can you see the stitches????

Here is the back of the quilt. I laid it out to see how many holes went through the backing.  About three!

The back of the quilt

And in case you want to see the front - this is what it looks like.

The front of the quilt

Now how big is that quilt???   Any guesses?????  It's 106" square!!!!!   I know - I didn't realise that it was that big, but no problem  - I'm still good with my quoted time.  OK, maybe a bit more time to do this hand stitching than I originally estimated, but not much.  I'm good with that.  It's another good learning experience.


Don't forget to pop out to see the Quilts at the Creek this weekend.  And why not stop by at 2:30 for my walking tour.  Yes - it's going to be hot, so take it slow, drink lots of water, wear a hat. We're going to be fine!  

Speaking of the heat.  I'm at the gym this morning for a spin class, although I remember that often there isn't a class on Fridays during the summer. No worries - I need to get on the bike to loosen up my knee which is feeling pretty awesome these days.  Yep - no class. Oh boy - I've got to keep myself motivated for an entire hour with nothing - no music, no videos, no one to chat to.  I'm by myself in a room with 70 spin bikes. So I rely on the numbers.  Can I crank out 30 K in 60 minutes?   That's 1 KM every two minutes.  I didn't start out that way so once I figured I could do it, I had to hustle to catch up to myself. And yes - I did cycle 30 KM in 60 minutes.  I was hot, sweat was pouring off me and my face was like a tomato (that's normal for me) and I accomplished what I wanted.  All in preparation of being outdoors this weekend in the heat!

On that note, have an awesome day!

Ciao!